278 



POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



able that where the rainfall is light this plant will do well on 

 rich soil, but where the precipitation is abundant it is best 

 adapted to sandy or gravelly land. Thus it fruits abundantly 

 on the sandy land of northern Minnesota and on the dry, rich 

 land of the Dakotas. 



Description. Some plants will reach a height of four feet 

 and spread five feet on the ground, while others attain only 

 half that size. The fruit resembles the cultivated cherry, but 

 varies considerably in form, size and color on different plants. 

 It is generally of a reddish almost black color when ripe. 



Fig. 125. Sand Cherry. Foliage and fruit. 



The ripe fruit varies from the size of a large green pea to five- 

 eighths of an inch or more in diameter. In some, the pit is small, 

 while in others it is very large. The quality is generally too as- 

 tringent to be relished uncooked, but this quality varies greatly 

 in the different plants. When cooked, its astringency disap- 

 pears and it makes a most excellent sauce. Where it grows 

 abundantly it is used for sauce and for a sort of wine, which 



